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Cooper praises theatricality of female pop singers

John Carucci Associated Press

Posted:
05/28/2014 07:56:15 AM EDT

Updated:
05/28/2014 08:25:52 AM EDT

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FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2012 file photo, Alice Cooper poses at the Eyegore Awards at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles. Cooper, currently on his Raise the Dead tour and joins Motley Crue on their final tour in July 2014, feels that many of the contemporary male artists lack the glamour and over-the-top theatricality of being a rock star. ?Shakira, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, it seems like all the girls decided to do it big these days.? (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, file)

NEW YORK (AP) — Alice Cooper believes many contemporary male artists lack the glamour and over-the-top theatricality of being a rock star.

"It's been a really funny thing now. All the girls are doing the big productions," Cooper said in a recent interview. "Shakira, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga — it seems like all the girls decided to do it big these days."

The 66-year-old shock rocker said he's been impressed with Lady Gaga's creativity and image.

"Lady Gaga said to me, 'Thanks for letting me steal your show.' And I said, 'The funny thing is, your show is nothing like mine,'" he said. "But what we do is more similar than you can imagine. We both created characters and have written for the character."

Cooper's wild style can be seen in his documentary, "Super Duper Alice Cooper," out on DVD next week. The highly stylized film chronicles the singer's life from being the son of a preacher to the creation of his onstage character to the ups and downs of his five-decade career.

He is now on his Raise the Dead tour, and will join Motley Crue for their final tour in July.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer believes rock 'n' roll today is "totally anemic," and he wishes newer rock bands were more interesting.

"I hope the next generation will rebel against this generation and come out with another Guns N' Roses," he said. "Bands that look like rock bands and play like rock bands."

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